I had a hysterectomy last summer due to other health issues, and it was such a strange experience — not the decision itself, which brought me a deep sense of peace at 27, but the way others responded to it. I kept getting the “but what if one day…” comments, as if I hadn’t already made my quiet, clear decision about having kids back when I was 18. My life had become nearly unlivable because of my health, and this was the right choice for me. What surprised me was how upset other people seemed, almost as if they were grieving a version of my life that was never mine to begin with. All of this to say — this was such a beautifully written piece, and I felt incredibly seen reading it. Thank you.
sara kay!! thank you so so much for sharing your story. 🥹 that sounds like an incredibly challenging experience - one that took so much courage to overcome. i’m so sorry to hear that others questioned your decision or had unkind things to say. just know that im totally in your corner and always happy to chat about the choice to be child free. you’re a rockstar! 💕🫶🏼
felt this one. especially, "I do not need to be a mother to mother." I'm going to be perfectly content and have purpose by being an aunt, a great aunt, and just a friend willing to help!
Interesting. Maybe the biological clock is not right twice per day, considering it has no hands... something to think about.
“Don’t you want your genes to go on?” they ask. But I’m not so sure my particular genetic mix is the one that humanity desperately needs more of. My genes, for all their quirks, won’t be the reason the world is better. The world is better because we care for each other, because we raise one another up, because we make it better, together, in ways that don’t rely on who we are, but how we love."
I had a hysterectomy last summer due to other health issues, and it was such a strange experience — not the decision itself, which brought me a deep sense of peace at 27, but the way others responded to it. I kept getting the “but what if one day…” comments, as if I hadn’t already made my quiet, clear decision about having kids back when I was 18. My life had become nearly unlivable because of my health, and this was the right choice for me. What surprised me was how upset other people seemed, almost as if they were grieving a version of my life that was never mine to begin with. All of this to say — this was such a beautifully written piece, and I felt incredibly seen reading it. Thank you.
sara kay!! thank you so so much for sharing your story. 🥹 that sounds like an incredibly challenging experience - one that took so much courage to overcome. i’m so sorry to hear that others questioned your decision or had unkind things to say. just know that im totally in your corner and always happy to chat about the choice to be child free. you’re a rockstar! 💕🫶🏼
I wish more people were willing to understand and let women who are unwilling to have children live their lives and find fulfillment in other things
!!!!!!!
Wow, you summed up exactly how I feel about motherhood and my decision to not have children. Beautifully written!
so glad you can relate, lauren!! so comforting knowing we’re not alone in our feelings when society tells us otherwise. sending love 💕
felt this one. especially, "I do not need to be a mother to mother." I'm going to be perfectly content and have purpose by being an aunt, a great aunt, and just a friend willing to help!
yes, raine!! maternal instincts don’t automatically kick in when a child exits your birth canal. we are all mothers 🫶🏼💕
Interesting. Maybe the biological clock is not right twice per day, considering it has no hands... something to think about.
“Don’t you want your genes to go on?” they ask. But I’m not so sure my particular genetic mix is the one that humanity desperately needs more of. My genes, for all their quirks, won’t be the reason the world is better. The world is better because we care for each other, because we raise one another up, because we make it better, together, in ways that don’t rely on who we are, but how we love."
Respect 🙏. Who is they? JW.
🪬📯📯📯📯📯📯📯🏴☠️.